What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantGlycolic Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingRetinal
Skin ConditioningCellulose
AbsorbentAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantSqualane
EmollientPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Magnesium Silicate
Ceramide NP
Skin ConditioningPichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialCentella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture
AntioxidantUbiquinone
AntioxidantAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Retinol, Phospholipids, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Retinal, Cellulose, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Squalane, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Sodium Hydroxide, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Ceramide NP, Pichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract, Gluconolactone, Ferulic Acid, Centella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture, Ubiquinone, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Phytate, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingXylitylglucoside
HumectantGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingAnhydroxylitol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeXylitol
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCarrageenan
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Retinol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Palmitate
EmollientLauryl Glucoside
CleansingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingMirabilis Jalapa Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Butylene Glycol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Xylitylglucoside, Glycine Soja Oil, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Xylitol, Allantoin, Carrageenan, Chlorphenesin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Retinol, Cetyl Palmitate, Lauryl Glucoside, Sorbitan Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Mirabilis Jalapa Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolRetinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.
Why is retinol famous?
It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.
Retinol is proven to:
This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.
Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.
Read about Tretinoin
Learn more about RetinolWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water